Unseen View - Periscope

Build a Periscope

How to make a periscope? In this section of Science Experiments, you will learn how to build a periscope. You can build a periscope very simply. Follow the following procedures.

Equipment needed to build a periscope

To build a periscope, you need:

• two small, square mirrors
• a piece of strong cardboard 1 foot x 1 foot (30cm x 30cm)
• sticky tape
• ruler
• protractor
• scissors

Method of building periscopes

1. Draw three lines on the cardboard to divide it into four equal strips.
2. Cut squares in two of the strips.
3. Cut two lines on each of the other two strips so they make an angle of 45 degrees with the side of the card.
4. Fold the card into a tube shape and stick it together with tape.
5. Slide the mirrors into the angled slits and tape them in position. One mirror should face upward and the other should face downward.
6. If you hold the periscope sideways, you will be able to see around corners. If you hold it upright, you will be able to see over the heads of people or things that are taller than you are.

How does a periscope work?

A periscope uses two mirrors that bounce reflections between them so people can see around corners or look at things that are too high for them to see. Light from the objects that are out of sight is reflected from the top mirror down into the lower mirror. You are able to see the objects by looking in the lower mirror.